There are many trees species that are as important to pollinating insects, birds, and animals as annual, perennial, and vegetable plants. Not only do these trees provide pollen or nectar they are also sources of habitats for roosting, nesting, and protection.
Select native plant species whenever possible to support native pollinators. Select species that will flower at different times throughout the season, giving pollinators a continuous food source. Some suggestions have flowers that are not showy to humans but are loved by pollinators.
Trees
| Common name/ Botanical name |
Height | Flowering Time | Flower Color | Sun/Shade |
| American Mountain Ash/ Sorbus Americana |
to 30' | June-July | White | Sun/part shade |
| American Witchhazel/ Hamamelis virginiana |
12-15' | Sept.-Nov. | Yellow | Sun/Shade |
| Blackgum/Tupelo/ Nyssa sylvatica |
60-80' | May-June | Yellowish green | Sun/part shade |
| Chokecherry/ Prunus virginiana |
16' | May-June | White | Sun/part shade |
| Crabapple/ Malus sp. |
12-40' | April-May | Pink/white | Sun |
| Eastern Redbud/ Cercis canadensis |
20-30' | May-June | Magenta | Sun/part shade |
| Flowering Dogwood/ Cornus florida |
30' | mid-May | Yellowish green | Sun/part shade |
| Maple/ Acer sp. |
to 75' | April | Yellowish green | Sun |
| Roundleaf Dogwood/ Cornus rugosa |
12' | June | White | Sun/part shade |
| Serviceberry/ Amelanchier sp. |
6-20' | late March | White | Sun |
| Staghorn Sumac/ Rhus typhina |
15-25' | June | Greenish yellow | Sun/part shade |
| Tulip Tree/ Liriodendron tulipifera |
70-90' | late-May to mid-June | Yellow green | Sun |
Shrubs
| Common name/ Botanical name |
Height | Flowering Time | Flower Color | Sun/Shade |
| American pussy willow/ Salix discolor |
to 20' | March-April | Yellow/green | Sun/shade |
| Arrowwood viburnum/ Viburnum dentatum |
5-9' | May to early-June | Creamy white | Sun/part shade |
| Black Chokeberry/ Photinia melanocarpa |
4-6' | May-June | White | Sun/part shade |
| Bush Honeysuckle/ Diervilla lonicera |
1/2-3' | June-July | Yellow | Sun/shade |
| Buttonbush/ Cephalanthus Occidentalis |
3-6' | June, July, August | Creamy white | Sun/part shade |
| Catberry/ Ilex mucronata |
6-8' | June-July | Inconspicuous/ white | Sun/part shade |
| Cinquefoil/ Dasiphora fruticose |
3-4' | May-June | Yellow | Sun/part shade |
| Common ninebark/ Physocarpus opulifolius |
6-10' | May-June | Whitish pink | Sun/part shade |
| Common snowberry/ Symphoricarpos albus |
3-4' | June-July | Pink | Sun/part shade |
| Eastern Teaberry/ Gaultheria procumbens |
4-8' | May-June | Pink | Sun/part shade |
| Highbush blueberry/ Vaccinium corymbosum |
7-9' | June-July | White | Sun/part shade |
| Kinnikinick/ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
2-6' | May-June | Purple-blue | Sun/part shade |
| Leatherleaf/ Chamaedaphne calyculata |
1-3' | May-July | White | Sun/part shade |
| Mapleleaf viburnum/ Viburnum acerfolium |
4-5' | May-June | White | Sun/part shade |
| New Jersey Tea/ Ceanothus americanus |
1-3' | June-August | White | Sun/part shade |
| Pinxterbloom azalea/ Rhododendron periclymenoides |
4-6' | late May | Pale pink | Sun/part shade |
| Rhodora/ Rhododendron canadense |
3-4' | June-July | Rose pink | Sun/part shade |
| Serviceberry/ Amelanchier canadensis |
6-20' | late March | White | Sun |
| Swamp azalea/ Rhododendron viscosum |
5' | June | White to pale pink | Part shade |
| Sweet pepperbush/ Clethra alnifolia |
5-8' | July & August | White | Sun/part shade |
| Trailing Arbutus/ Epigaea repens |
1-3' | May-July | White to pink | Sun/part shade |
| Virginia rose/ Rosa virginiana |
4-6' | June-July | Rose pink | Sun |
| White mountainsweet/ Spirea alba |
3-6' | June-Sept. | White to pink | Sun |
| Winterberry/ Ilex verticillata |
6-10' | June-July | White | Sun/shade |
Despite good cultural practices, pests and diseases at times may appear. Chemical control should be used only after all other methods have failed.
For pesticide information or other questions please call toll free: 877-486-6271.
UConn Home and Garden Education Center, 2017